Established in 1888, the Society is New Zealand's oldest conservation organisation.

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Planting the Seed at Craigieburn

Students from the Otago Polytechnic Horticulture course continued a 18 year relationship with the Dunedin Amenities Society with further tree planting at Craigieburn recently. The students planted further native plants on the Tanner Road frontage to add a visual link to the adjoining Ross Creek area and improve the entrance to the site from the road. They will return to the reserve on the 14th of September for further planting work to strengthen the southern bush boundary. With a stiff easterly breeze the group worked well in an effort to keep warm, and took the time to look at the historic and forest values of Craigieburn which makes the reserve unique.

Otago Polytechnic Horticulture students began planting native trees in the 1.5 acre grassy open paddock on the western boundary of Craigieburn in 1994, and after 9 years of hard work the paddock planting was completed. The totara, rimu, miro and matai have shown phenomenal growth and through the students work a new piece of sustaining native forest cover has been created. During the last 8 years other parts of Craigieburn have also been replanted with each new course group contributing to the success of the reserve re-planting. Otago Polytechnic Course Co-ordinator Lisa Burton and Craigieburn Project Manager Paul Pope were able to show the current students the positive impact that the preceding students had on the reserve over the last 18 years.

The Amenities Society takes great enjoyment in hosting the students and staff at Craigieburn, as their enthusiasm and energy is uplifting and inspiring. The project also serves an important purpose in the preparation of the students towards their horticultural qualifications which will hopefully inspire them in their own projects, future studies and employment in the horticulture industry. On behalf of the Dunedin Amenities Society our thanks for your efforts to make our site a great success.